Staunton’s Award Winners in the Best of Virginia 2023

(Published 05/12/2023)

Every January, Virginia Living Magazine asks its readers to name their favorite businesses and attractions in a write-in poll. The magazine features them in its Best of Virginia issue, which is designed to guide readers to all the best places in five different Virginia regions. Locals and visitors voted for favorites, and Staunton really shines as a place to visit and do business.

Read on to find out who of your favorites are award winners in various categories. If you haven’t yet visited, what are you waiting for?

Best of Food & Drink

Breakfast/Brunch Restaurant – 2nd Place: Kathy’s Restaurant
Burger Joint – 2nd Place: Wright’s Dairy-Rite
Fine Dining – 1st Place: Mill Street Grill
Food Truck – 3rd Place: Gloria’s Pupuseria
Ice Cream Shop – 2nd Place: Kline’s Dairy Bar; 3rd Place: The Split Banana
Indian Restaurant – 1st Place: Taste of India
Mexican Restaurant – 2nd Place: Chicano Boy Taco
Outdoor Dining – 2nd Place: Byers Street Bistro
Pizzeria – 3rd Place: Shenandoah Pizza
Seafood Restaurant – 1st Place: Blu Point Seafood Co.; 3rd Place: Mill Street Grill
Steakhouse – 1st Place: Mill Street Grill; 3rd Place: The Depot Grille
Vegans, Vegetarians/GF – 3rd Place: Cranberry’s Grocery & Eatery
Bakery – 2nd Place: Reunion Bakery
Chocolatier – 3rd Place: Giancarlo Fine European Pastries
Farmers’ Market – 1st Place: Staunton Farmers’ Market
Wine Shop – 1st Place: Yelping Dog Wine
Cidery – 2nd Place: Ciders From Mars
Cocktails – 2nd Place: Zynodoa
Winery – 3rd Place: Barren Ridge Vineyards

Entertainment & Events

Art Event – 1st Place: Art in the Park at Gypsy Hill
Art Gallery – 3rd Place: CoArt Gallery
Entertainment for Adults – 2nd Place: Visulite Cinemas
Festival – 3rd Place: Queen City Mischief & Magic
Movie Theater – 2nd Place: Visulite Cinemas
Museum – 1st Place: Frontier Culture Museum
Performing Arts Company – 1st Place: American Shakespeare Center’s Blackfriars Playhouse
Performing Arts Theater – 1st Place: American Shakespeare Center’s Blackfriars Playhouse
Special Event Venue – 2nd Place: The Blackburn Inn & Conference Center

Kids

Family Entertainment – 3rd Place: Frontier Culture Museum

Travel

Historic Site – 1st Place: Downtown Staunton; 3rd Place: Frontier Culture Museum
Hotel – 3rd Place: The Blackburn Inn & Conference Center
Tourist Attraction – 2nd Place: Downtown Staunton

Outdoors & Active

Dance Studio – 1st Place: Staunton Academy of Ballet
Gym – 2nd Place: Staunton-Augusta Family YMCA
Specialty Fitness – 1st Place: Phoenix Fitness & Yoga
Tennis Facility – 1st Place: Gypsy Hill Park

Shopping 

Book Store – 3rd Place: The Book Dragon Shop
Fine Jewelry Store – 3rd Place: Crown Jewelers
Florist – 1st Place: Honey Bee’s Florist
Gift Store – 1st Place: Latitudes Fair Trade Store
Men’s Clothing – 1st Place: CFO Trading Company
Record Store – 1st Place: The Vinyl Asylum
Sporting Goods/Outdoor Outfitter – 3rd Place: Wilderness Adventure

Congratulations to all the winners, and thank you to everyone who voted. Get out there and support Staunton’s favorite businesses and attractions.